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The star has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which works to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – about 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were confronting imminent closure due to issues stemming from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.

The musician is not the first artist to donate his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.

In the band earned the prize in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would give their prize money to the organization War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her award across a few charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients they donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success touched another person's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had saved several local spots in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

The first in Southampton and the other in the city were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.